Roseburg review. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 1885-1920, 1887-07-08
a CoNFEDERATE TIEW.
The 6raHd dsny ofaHe Republic aud the
Confderate Flags
PoRTIASD June 2

be said to have somewhat subslded,
cannot the matter fairly be viewed in
another light than that in which it is
held by the G. a. r.? Does not the
very course and conduct OF this organ
ization prescribe for the act a different
construction from that now heralded
to the publlc2 Is not too much being
done for effect.
I ask you to give space to an ex-
preston OF opinion upon what ] am for
ced to admit is here the unpopular side
of the question. A. the outset, I con-
slider that this episode, coming as it did
was unfortunate. 1t has occasioned
needless agitation of a subject concern
ing which our country is not yet a.
peace, and, be it said with regret, is
not likely to be for years to come
Why should not the Southern flags
be returned? Two reasons are as
signed:
First They should not be sent south
'tas emblems to be reyerel and teach
coming generations treason.
Second-The Northern states have
the proprietary right of conquest over
them.
It will be conceded that the first is
the chief ground upon which the ob
lection may be based, and, SO viewing
| it, let US see in what position the G.
A. r. is to urge 1t. Posts of this or
eaDization have from time to time
made restitution to Southern survi-
vors Of the war of such flags as might
be under their cotrol. Did they dc
this to teach treason; or, if such were
or were likely to be, the effect, were
they loyal to their country or true to
the vows of their association in doing
itl The greater question is the trans
mission of the fireband and not the
agency through which it may be trans
mitted. Suppose the flags under con
sideration had been delivered to the
| G. A. r., would not it have been
ample precedent for restoring them to
the South, and if it did would not
there be danger of their Matching trea
SOM Upon that score this organiza
ton must stand with self-spiked guns
and the spectacle of the patriot Fair
child heaping imprecations upon ths
head of the chief magistrate of his
country (be he who he may) is one thai
does him little credit as soldier or {
citizen. He is but little more than 1
"patent-rishts reserved" argument. |
is assuming to much to say that thes'
| flags, if returned, were to he exhibited
in the capitals OF the several Southern
states these states had never beer
consulted ii regard to the question
and even knew nothing of the pre-
posed restitution.
Is not the G. a. r. in this matter
placed in an embarrassingly ineonsis
tent positionl Is net this the sincerity
or insincerity, Of Senator Sherman
who, one day at Nashville, holds ou
the olive branch to the South, and tn
next, at Springfield, relights the camp
fires Of '6l4
Again, would not Abraham Lincolr
. if he were now president approve sue
a novel | believe he would, and
he did further believe the G. A. r
would never raise voice in protest
So, were Grant to do it, would it IT
, spond Gamer" It is because Cleve
land assaycd the act that the eboli
! tions of its wrath has become so vie
! lent.
IF it be right that the Souther
, states were readmitted, SO to speak.
? the Union and allowed to take part i
the administration of its affairs, 6
: most rational men now agree is it nt
best that these flags be removed fro
! the national capitall If it is right
7 have Southern men there it is unwi:
; to have the flags there and conversel
e Apart from the tendency it mu'
: necessarily have to keep the stat
: apart rather than to bring them toget
| er and minor considerations which ma
, urally flow therefrom; how are foreigl
f ers to understand an incident whie
: says this senator holds these flags ov'
that one, and this representive over Il
otherl Have these men, who the {
! A. R. says should be continually he
| under stigma, shown any evidences
: latent treasonl In what respect ha'
$ they failed in their allegiance to col
mon countryl More to the point, ha'
not they, Gordon, Hampton, Butle
!. Morgan, Ransom,--men wounded
+ bayonet, shell and ball, with constit
ents no more fortunate and states po
erty-stricken by the rayages of a d
o vastating war-voted to tax thel
selves and constituents in support
every proper measure thai has bee
presented in congress to pension Il
= troops that brought them to such co
dition, now represented by the G. \.
: and has that organization ever enter,
. protest against such votes, or have i
: members in auy instance failed to ava